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| From left to right, HD 429, HD 439, HD 449 |
In almost every single negative review, reviewers constantly cited the "cheap, plastic" feel of the headphones as the reason why they "knocked a star off" or "couldn't recommend them". Many of these negative reviewers speculate that these headphones are just going to fall apart in a few years. But heres the thing: I never once read a review that said that they HAD fallen apart. I have come to the conclusion that the reason for the Sennheiser HD 400 line's "cheap, plastic" build is simply because Sennheiser wanted to create lightweight and comfortable over ear headphone line. Just because something is built from lightweight plastic, doesn't mean they are built poorly. Aside from the headphone's size adjusting mechanism, I was actually quite impressed with the build of my Sennheiser HD 439's when I got them. In fact, the headphones are capable of being stretched and contorted into shapes that would make the screws pop and the plastic crack on a pair of Beats by Dre headphones (of course, if they screws haven't popped already from regular use). The hinges also don't creak when the headphones are stretched to put on your head.
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| A demonstration of the Sennheiser HD 449's impressive headband flexibility. These headphones continue to work perfectly fine after this test, no plastic stress marks and no build issues to report. |
Sennheiser is a tried and true headphone company that manufacturers proven quality audio products. The HD 400 line was specifically designed to be a line of lightweight portable over ear headphones (hence the lightweight plastic). The only build issue's that I know to be one hundred percent true, is that the hinges to wear out over time and they become a little bit loose. Aside from that issue (which is common in many headphones that are heavily used) the Sennheiser HD 429, 439 and 449 will provide lasting quality for many years of audio enjoyment.
